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What Is an Instagram Handle? (& IG Language)

An Instagram handle is a unique username that identifies a user on the platform, allowing others to tag, mention, and search for their profile. It appears in the Instagram URL and must be distinct, containing only letters, numbers, periods, or underscores. A well-chosen handle enhances brand recognition, discoverability, and credibility, especially for businesses aiming for consistency across social media. To change your Instagram handle, go to your profile, tap Edit Profile, enter a new username, and save—but note that you can’t reclaim your old handle for 14 days. Instagram also has its own terminology: the Feed shows recent posts, Tags mention users with “@”, Highlights save Stories beyond 24 hours, Reels are short video clips, and features like Boomerang, AR Filters, and Double Tap enhance user engagement. Understanding Instagram’s language and best practices for choosing a handle helps users optimize their presence on the platform.

Instagram Handle: What It Is and Why It Matters

An Instagram handle is your unique username on the platform, allowing others to tag, mention, and search for your profile. Your handle is part of your Instagram URL and must be unique. For example, Kendall Jenner’s Instagram handle is @kendalljenner, making her profile accessible at www.instagram.com/kendalljenner.

How Instagram Handles Work

  • Users can tag you in posts, photos, and videos by using @yourusername.
  • No two users can have the same handle, ensuring each profile is distinct.
  • A handle can only contain letters, numbers, periods, or underscores (no spaces or special characters).

Choosing the Right Instagram Handle

If you’re a business owner, your Instagram handle should reflect your brand name or niche for better recognition and visibility. A strong handle helps with marketing, discoverability, and credibility.

Best practices for selecting an Instagram handle:

  • Keep it short and memorable.
  • Use your brand name or a recognizable variation.
  • Avoid random numbers or special characters that make it hard to find.
  • Ensure consistency across other social media platforms.
How to Change the Instagram Handle

How to Change the Instagram Handle?

If you want, you can change the handle you have already chosen. All you have to do is follow the steps below.

  1. Open the Instagram app and your Instagram profile.
  2. Tap on Edit Profile under your profile photo.
  3. Tap on username and create a new handle as you wish.
  4. Click the checkmark icon at the top right.

When you switch to a new username, you will not choose your previous username again within 14 days. Do not forget it. But, you can choose new usernames.

About Instagram Language

New to Instagram? Or unfamiliar with Instagram terms? The online world speaks this language now. And it seems that we will continue to learn new terms day by day. Let’s explain some basic terms in the language of Instagram.

  • Instagram Handle / IG Handle: The Instagram handle is the username that users use to define their profile address. In other words, it is the Instagram username.
  • Feed: On the Instagram homepage, you can see the latest posts and stories shared by people you follow or suggested accounts.
  • Tag: Adding the @ symbol in front of the username. You can tag the user to a photo or a video.
  • Highlights: You can pin your Instagram stories that disappeared after 24 hours to your profile. These are called highlights. People who view your profile can see these stories again.
  • IG Reels: Creative and fun video clips you create by adding sounds, effects, and different tools up to 15 to 30 seconds on Instagram.
  • Double Tap: Tapping twice on the post, you show that you like it.
  • AR Filters: Augmented reality filters are computer-generated filters that add graphics, virtual and realistic effects over a live video.
  • Boomerang: It is the feature of sharing with short loop videos.

Frequently Asked Questions About

No, Instagram does not allow users to reserve handles for future use. However, if you change your username, your old handle will be locked for 14 days before becoming available again.

No, Instagram handles are not case-sensitive. For example, @YourBrandName and @yourbrandname function the same way, but capitalization can improve readability in marketing materials.

If you delete your account or remain inactive for a long time, Instagram may release your handle for others to use. However, Instagram does not allow username transfers between accounts.

James Orublig

Posts: 123

Hi, my name is James but my friend calls me JamesTheNews since I always have the latest news about social media. Follow my blogs to learn every bit of trickery there is to social media.

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18 Comments

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